March 30, 2010 by RVBusiness · Comments Off on DADI LLC Buys Leading Van Converter Tuscany

Wayne Davis and David Disiere of Fort Worth, Texas-based DADI LLC have announced the acquisition of Tuscany, the leading manufacturer of specialty vehicles, including luxury vans, personal use mobility vans, hotel shuttle vans and specialty trucks.

The company will continue operations in Elkhart, Ind., with headquarters and product development located in Fort Worth, according to a news release. The purchase price was not disclosed.

The move marks the re-entry of Davis into the custom automobile conversion industry, where he will be joined by partner Disiere, the former CEO of a top insurance MGA based in Dallas.

“This is a great day for DADI LLC. We couldn’t be more pleased with this new opportunity because it will rapidly expand our presence in a growing market that is also underserved,” said Davis, principal and CEO of Tuscany.

Tuscany is ranked No. 1 with Ford Motor Co. in total volume of all personal use specialty vehicle manufactures and has earned Ford’s prestigious Quality Excellence Award a record seven years. The company is also the leader in 12-14 passenger shuttle vans that serve hotel and air transportation markets.

“Tuscany is the standard in the custom automobile conversion industry. This is a great acquisition for DADI LLC and fits in perfectly with our overall long-term vision,” Disiere added.

Its luxury vans are configured with seven- to nine-passenger seating with luxury appointments such as 22-inch LCD TVs, DVDs, iPod stations and leather seating on both the Ford and GM full-size van chassis. Their mobility vans are equipped with wheelchair lifts and other adaptive equipment for transporting people in wheelchairs and able-bodied passengers.

Tuscany enjoys bailment pool status with Ford and General Motors Co., allowing the company to order vehicle chassis directly from the OEMs. Tuscany is also a Ford Quality Vehicle Modifier (QVM), a designation currently bestowed by Ford to only 11 qualified conversion companies (a.k.a. ‘upfitters’) in the United States.

Michael Graber, who founded the company with his father nearly 20 years ago, will continue as general manager of the Elkhart-based company.